Barbara Bedell: NFA students take part in forensic project

A group of 10 students at Newburgh Free Academy's North Campus in Newburgh are involved in a high-level research program headed by Louis M. Irizarry. It is sponsored and funded by a Forensics Research Grant awarded last year to Irizarry by the Toshiba America Foundation for the improvement of science and math.

A group of 10 students at Newburgh Free Academy's North Campus in Newburgh are involved in a high-level research program headed by Louis M. Irizarry. It is sponsored and funded by a Forensics Research Grant awarded last year to Irizarry by the Toshiba America Foundation for the improvement of science and math.

Working with high-tech equipment and techniques, the students are analyzing DNA extracted from animal skeletal remains that have been exposed to natural processes.

The students are in their second and last year. They'll complete the program by filing a formal report to Toshiba America Foundation for possible publication. "The research has motivated the students to pursue further research and to follow a career path in forensic science," said Irizarry. The program carries a full academic credit in science.

"Stones of Hope" is the theme of this year's Lenten Services hosted by the Greater Newburgh Ministerial Association, led by the Rev. Deke Spierling (492-1828) of New Windsor.

The 30-minute services at noon began on Ash Wednesday and will continue on consecutive Wednesdays through March 20. All will be at Grace United Methodist Church on Broadway in Newburgh, with entry from the back parking lot on Van Ness Street. Among the speakers are the Revs. Frank Windom, Martha Epstein and Byron Williams, Rabbi Philip Weintraub, and Colin Jarvis, executive director of Newburgh Ministries.

Jazz pianist Bob Baldwin, founder of the NewUrbanJazz Radio Network, will fuse funky contemporary jazz with gospel, hip-hop and Brazilian at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Middletown Thrall Library, 11-19 Depot St. in Middletown.

Hosted by the Friends group, the program is free and open to the public.

For information, call Maria Bruni at 344-7515.

Jason Westbrook of Cornwall is the new student representative on SUNY Orange's board of trustees. He served with the U.S. Marines, earning three Navy Achievement Medals for exceptional services.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh celebrated Valentine's Day by dedicating its House of Service at 30 E. Parmenter St. in Newburgh. The location, created by volunteers into dorm-style housing, will serve weeklong groups helping build the structures. The nonprofit expects to keep pace with its goal of building 50 houses in five years.

The American Heart Association is receiving $285 from the partners and staff at Judelson, Giordano & Siegel, a full-service accounting and business consulting firm in Middletown, for the Go Red for Women fundraising event.

Crystal Run Healthcare, led by the cardiology division, raised $2,460 at its 15 locations in support of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign.